NHL Hockey Player News

Clutterbuck missed the Islanders' previous three games due to an upper-body injury but is travelling with the team and is likely to play in the upcoming games. The 35-year-old had just recently become the all-time hits leader in the NHL and has three goals, five points, 14 PIMs and a +4 plus/minus in 26 games prior to the injury.

Varlamov stopped 35 of 37 shots before leaving Saturday's game in Vegas with a lower-body injury and will head to the injured reserve. The Islanders recalled Cory Schneider from the AHL and he is expected to stay with the team until Varlamov is nursed back to full health.

Palmieri has played one game since Nov.21st due to an upper-body injury that has reaggravated itself and has been placed on the injured reserve after playing 10:46 in a game vs. Arizona Friday. The 31-year-old veteran winger has six goals, nine points and 39 SOG through 21 games prior to hitting the shelf again due to injury.

Dadonov was a healthy scratch for the Canadiens' previous game but will draw back into the lineup Thursday. The 33-year-old Russian, has two goals, five assists, 33 SOG and is a -8 plus/minus in 28 games before being held out of the lineup last game.

Gallagher has not played since Nov. 29th due to a lower-body injury but will be a game-time decision Thursday as the Canadiens take on the Panthers. The 30-year-old was having a slow start to his season prior to the injury, with only three goals and five assists with 51 SOG through 22 games.

Montembeault allowed two goals on 39 shots (.949 SV%) to snap a two-game losing streak with a win over Arizona in his last start. The 26-year-old has been far and away the better of the two Montreal goaltenders this season, with his 6-3-2 record, 2.89 GAA and .912 SV%. He will face the Florida Panthers, who are looking to snap their current three-game losing skid.

Dermott has missed the entire season due to a concussion but is set to make his season debut Thursday vs. the Jets. The 26-year-old has 13 goals, and 41 assists, and is a +33 plus/minus through 268 games so far this season.

Willman failed to pick up a point through nine games with the Flyers after playing only 8:58 ATOI in a bottom-six role. He will head back to Lehigh Valley (AHL) where he had two goals, two assists and 10 PIMs in 11 games prior to his promotion.

Delia stopped 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) as he beat Edmonton to stay undefeated in his last start. The 28-year-old has been great in both of his starts this season, with a 2-0-0 record, 2.33 GAA and .920 SV%. He will take on the Winnipeg Jets, who are looking to snap their current three-game losing skid after a 4-1 loss to Minnesota in their last game.

McKeown had two goals, six assists, 16 PIMs and a +13 plus/minus through 25 games with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) and has been recalled for the second time this season. In his previous three games, he had failed to pick up a point but had six PIMs and a -1 plus/minus.

Hellebuyck allowed three goals on 27 shots (.889 SV%) for his second straight loss and he was defeated by the Minnesota Wild in his last start. The 29-year-old has put on a Vezina Trophy-worthy performance this season, with his 16-9-1 record, 2.38 GAA and .927 SV%. He will hope to snap his losing streak as he takes on the Vancouver Canucks, who have pushed themselves above .500 with their current three-game winning streak.

Montembeault allowed two goals on 39 shots (.949 SV%) to snap a two-game losing streak with a win over Arizona in his last start. The 26-year-old has been far and away the better of the two Montreal goaltenders this season, with his 6-3-2 record, 2.89 GAA and .912 SV%. He will face the Florida Panthers, who are looking to snap their current three-game losing skid.

Copley stopped 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) for his fifth-straight win in a victory over Vegas his last time out. The 30-year-old Alaska native has been phenomenal this month, with his 7-1-0 record, 2.43 GAA and .912 SV%. He will take on the Colorado Avalanche, who are coming off an ugly. 6-3 loss to the Arizona Coyotes.

Benning has a goal, 13 assists, 26 SOG and 16 PIMs in 36 games but will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. the Flyers. Benning is on pace for career numbers across the board in his first season in San Jose.

Barabanov has four goals, 21 points, 60 SOG and a -10 plus/minus through 31 games this season while holding down a top-six role, but will be a game-time decision Thursday. He is dealing with an undisclosed injury.

Khaira has three goals, three assists, 29 SOG and 18 PIMs across 29 games played but will not play Thursday vs. the Blues as he deals with an undisclosed injury.